Antique skis and crutches on display at Cottonwood Restaurant and Bar in Truckee, Calif., on February 13, 2014. (Alvin Jornada / The Press Democrat)

Joel Lesch of Pine Grove, Calif., works on his crossword puzzle and enjoys the unseasonably warm weather while his wife shops in Truckee, Calif., on February 13, 2014. (Alvin Jornada / The Press Democrat)

At Heavenly, at the south end of Lake Tahoe, the new snow means 21 of 29 lifts will be open, as well as 3,700 acres of the 4,800-acre resort.

The larger resorts have been making snow since late last year, but much of the region's usually skiable hills have stood barren while rocks, dirt patches and tree stumps have made some thinly covered runs a little dicey.

At Tahoe Dave's Skis and Boards in Truckee, workers have noticed some of the rental gear taken out prior to the weekend storms has come back with scars from the rough terrain.

"A couple of scratches coming in from the conditions out there. It was a little more than usual," said boot technician Danny Hembel.

More snow is due Saturday to help a little more with the coverage.

"Saturday's story is wind," said meteorologist Snyder. "We've got quite a system coming in."

A high-wind watch has been issued by the National Weather Service for the region from Saturday morning through late that night.

Skiers Saturday afternoon could see strong winds of 25-30 mph with gusts to 55 mph — and even as strong as 85 mph that night on the highest, exposed ridges.

It's expected to whip the lake up with an impressive chop and waves of 3 to 5 feet, especially closer to the east shoreline.

The rain and snow should start Saturday night and last into Sunday morning, then taper off.

The resort, off the summit along Highway 80, offers six ski lifts. "We haven't been able to do that this year," he said.

At Heavenly, at the south end of Lake Tahoe, the new snow means 21 of 29 lifts will be open, as well as 3,700 acres of the 4,800-acre resort.

The larger resorts have been making snow since late last year, but much of the region's usually skiable hills have stood barren while rocks, dirt patches and tree stumps have made some thinly covered runs a little dicey.

At Tahoe Dave's Skis and Boards in Truckee, workers have noticed some of the rental gear taken out prior to the weekend storms has come back with scars from the rough terrain.

"A couple of scratches coming in from the conditions out there. It was a little more than usual," said boot technician Danny Hembel.

More snow is due Saturday to help a little more with the coverage.

"Saturday's story is wind," said meteorologist Snyder. "We've got quite a system coming in."

A high-wind watch has been issued by the National Weather Service for the region from Saturday morning through late that night.

Skiers Saturday afternoon could see strong winds of 25-30 mph with gusts to 55 mph — and even as strong as 85 mph that night on the highest, exposed ridges.

It's expected to whip the lake up with an impressive chop and waves of 3 to 5 feet, especially closer to the east shoreline.

The rain and snow should start Saturday night and last into Sunday morning, then taper off.

"It's not nearly the kind of storm we saw last weekend, not anything close to it," said Clark.

It could bring 6 to 12 inches of snow to levels over 6,500 feet. Rain was expected under about 5,800 feet.

Sunday should be partly cloudy and Monday should clear, offering a dry trip home for end-of-weekend travelers.

Afternoon temperatures don't look good for holding onto snow, with predictions of mid-50s and 40s.

After this weekend the next chance for snow is Wednesday or Thursday, and that doesn't appear it will pack much of a white punch.

At the Rental Place in Sonoma, manager Jesus Hernandez said he can tell there is more snow and a holiday weekend approaching by the increase in business.

"They just started calling about prices, if we still have (skis and boards) and snow chains," Hernandez said.